For all German ex-pats living in the States - what do you miss the most?

Question

And when do you say, thank God I'm no longer in Germany...? Better said, what's great about living in the States?

Answer 1

It's mostly about atmosphere. The Germans are incredible at making a perfectly agreeable situation unbearable. It seems as if it is unacceptable in Germany to be happy, and there is a constant sighing and shruging and painting dark pictures of the future going on. The US are the opposite. That's refreshing. I also like the simplicity of life in the US, and the nostalgic feel of it. You can live life as if you were living in the 50s in the US, and give yourself to that illusion for months without interruption. This is a fantastic getaay from the grey realities of modern life (have to say though I used to live in Montana and Arizona). So, to wrap it up: The US give you this easy mega-gulp of happiness.

Answer 2

The things I'm glad I have now that I'm back in the states...not 'having' to recycle everything, garbage disposals, stores being open late, and fast food places around almost every corner, understanding the language, being able to read all of the street signs again etc., being around family and owning a home again.  

But, I really miss Germany...wasn't able to live there as long as I wanted. I miss having a bakery and produce truck stop in front of my house, the cobble stone streets, the old world charm, the autobahn, the chocolate, close proximity to so many countries for traveling, the Rhine and views of the vineyards, the atmosphere of the 'olden days', almond squares/triangles, wursts, the many different ways to get potatoes, doner platters, the festivals that they have for almost anything, the list could go on and on.  I wish I could go back often, but haven't been able to yet.

Answer 3

well i am thankful that i am in the states but i also love germany as my ex-homeland. The people here in the states where i live make this my homeland now. I do feel the pain just like everyone in the usa when something happens like 9/11. The only thing i miss is my mom and my sister and her family as well as some of the food which is hard to find here.

Answer 4

oktoberfest. cold beer

Answer 5

I miss most:

Broetchen

Kinderschokolade

All the Nivea products I you don't get over here

Thomas Gottschalk

Watching "Sissi" once a year

The Autobahn

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer

The close proximity of Italy

I enjoy going back once a year and so far haven't said thank God I am no longer there. Actually, since Bush took over I do ask myself more and more why I still live in the States.

Answer 6

I live 10 years in the  US and there are the same things I miss like all the other people already mentioned. But in general, I think there is more freedom in the US, and more opportunities, but life is also much harder in the States

I miss the culture, the manners, the way people dress in Germany, but I hate the doctors because they think they are little gods. Always when I have to see a doc I say, 'thank god that I am in the US'

But when I go out for dinner and the Americans are loud and have like , no manners at all ,then I am so sure that I don't want to be here. It makes me sick.

Answer 7

the beautiful women in germany. the cobble stone streets. the clubs. and ohh the wonderful fabulous, beer, nothing can compare to a german beer. the food was good.i also miss the trains i love american tv. but i would rather be in germany

Answer 8

Listening to some of you makes me miss Germany. I am American but lived there with my German husband for many years.

Here are some of the things you've all said and where you might be able to get them here.

Kinderschokolade/ All the Nivea products I you don't get over here: Germandeli.com

Watching "Sissi" once a year: :D I miss Neuschwanstein. I also miss "Dinner for One"!

Broetchen/ Wurstbrot/ Brezen/ Conditorei/Baekerei: You're not kidding- I MISS REAL BREAD!!!!! American bread sucks so bad..... I would give my left arm some Sundays for a real broetchen. And my God-- what is up with super soft pretzels!??! Let's get some butter and kase up in here on those things!

Thomas Gottschalk: Completely underrated in America-- he's so funny!

Schaschlik, Currywurst, Cervelatwurst: There are some good German butchers and places online where you can get REAL German meats.... germandeli.com is one. Claus' in Indianapolis, IN is another.

Milka: The chain "Fresh Market" has these as well as many international food aisles---"World Market" sells these as well.

Aldi: Some states have these  http://usa.aldi.com/

I also miss the TIME. People in Germany took time (and killer vacations!) to enjoy life. Spending an afternoon with friends in a biergarden.... I miss speaking another language (my husband doesn't want to speak German anymore). I miss how everything was so close. I miss the multicultural feel of the place I lived. I miss being so close to cultural things. I miss the art, the music and how CLEAN everything was. I miss how the people took pride in their  jobs no matter what they were. While I can't say I miss my crabby neighbors (everything was my fault because I'm the Auslander), I miss the realness of emotion people gave you. If they were mad, you knew it. If they were happy, they weren't afraid to say it. I miss they way the Germans and Europeans dress (and it has influenced my dress as well- long live European shoes!) I miss hearing a REAL church bell from across the street and I miss being able to let my children go to a park or a play area without fear that they are going to be kidnapped, shot or killed.

Last but not least-- hehe... even though I have my own German import, I really, really miss hearing people speak German and the rockin' German accents. :D

I love America but I love Germany too.

Answer 9

I'm an American living in Germany and I'm going to miss the autobahns, the food i can't pronounced, the trains, the taxis, the beer, the European cars, the ice cream that taste so much better, and well i guess all the food cause it just seems to taste so much better here! I've been living here for a year and a half and well i miss home but I've enjoyed Germany.

Answer 10

ditto Sasha plus

Wurstbrot

Brezen

Edeka

Conditorei/Baekerei

Milka

Aldi

Rosenheim Cops

Answer 11

I would like to have  Schaschlik, Currywurst, Cervelatwurst !!! .... but I can live without it !!!

I miss the German "Order" or "Discipline"...particularly when driving on a Highway !!!!!

In the US I like the convenience of shopping, stores open almost all the time.

I like the American generosity and the willingness to forgive, to overlook, to be helpful .... don't have that in Germany !!!!

Answer 12

i live in germany. and there is nothing great about the states.

Answer 13

My parents are from Germany, but we still have very close ties. I definitely agree with the last person that missed Broetchen, Nivea and Kinder...me too. And then wurst, the entire city of Dresden, the cafes, soccer, the people...pretty much everything.